I am needing to replace the AV software on our main file server (Windows 2003 Storage Server). We used to use NOD32 on it but had to switch to something else because NOD32 was locking up the file server. Aside from the lockup issues, I also like the idea of have one AV software on the workstations and something different on the file server as it adds an extra defense layer. So we installed Kaspersky.

Kaspersky worked fine and we liked it there. However, the update license expired recently and apparently I can no longer buy just a single server license of Kaspersky. So I am looking for something else to use.

I am curious if anyone has installed Vipre on their file servers and if so, have you had any problems with it?

17 Replies

Installed on everything here. Hasn't been a problem. Make sure to add the exceptions per this KB: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/822158%C2%A0; Mervers have active protection enabled, on execution only. Also per GFI's recommendation, my backup software is in the exceptions as well.

Dang, it looks like they require a 5 seat purchase as well. It's not the cost that bugs me as much as it's the fact I am buying 5 seats when I only need 1.

Just buy the home standalone one.

I think you'll have to go the manual route to set up exclusions if you go that route... (not really a fan of sticking home AV software on a file server, not based on any proof, just general unease at the thought).

Dang, it looks like they require a 5 seat purchase as well. It's not the cost that bugs me as much as it's the fact I am buying 5 seats when I only need 1.

Just buy the home standalone one.

I think you'll have to go the manual route to set up exclusions if you go that route... (not really a fan of sticking home AV software on a file server, not based on any proof, just general unease at the thought).

Confirm directly with a sales rep that 5 seats is the min.

He only wants it on one server, so he would have to do it anyway. I don't see the problem.

Vipre runs fine on file servers. Make sure to run standard and not premium if you have Dell servers because some Dell server drivers have a conflict with the Firewall driver in Vipre which will cause you to connection to the server randomly which you have to restart the server to fix.

Try it out, and make sure your scan times are good. We have some file servers which take 20+ hours to scan which steers some people toward gdata or bitdefender for the file servers.

The exclusion list they just mentioned is key regardless of what AV solution you go with. Personally, I'm rather offended to think that all AV manufacturers don't automatically add the exceptions Microsoft recommends into a default exceptions list.

Thanks again for all the input. I will call the sale folks and see what they have to say. As for the exclusions, I started manually doing those on all servers regardless of the AV software a long time ago. While it would be nice to simply select a template for the server and have the AV do it for me, it's really not a big deal to do myself.

I'm with DarienA with regards to not using home products on servers. Even though a lot of times a server/business product is the same as a home product (except for cost), I just dont like taking the chance that the home product is either missing something I need or has added something I dont. Plus, if you need support, most companies will give you a problem because your using a home product in a business..

@A. Ostertag:
Could you use the remaining 4 seats elsewhere? A remote office or your home?

@DarienA:
Templates work great! We always use them for a starting point when creating new policies for Servers, Workstations and Tablets. Very easy to use and allows changes to be copied to exsisting policies all at once.

1) Always use the Server templates on Servers (especially if using SBS). It will save you a lot of time with predefined exclusions.

2) I would not recommend installing Vipre Premium on Servers. Choose the standard version to avoid issues with the FW NDIS drivers.

Speaking of Vipre NDIS drivers (only in Premium)... They can cause huge issues with older NIC drivers (before 2010). It's not a very well documented issue but should be. Test everything, we learned the hard way.

@A. Ostertag:
Could you use the remaining 4 seats elsewhere? A remote office or your home?

@DarienA:
Templates work great! We always use them for a starting point when creating new policies for Servers, Workstations and Tablets. Very easy to use and allows changes to be copied to exsisting policies all at once.

1) Always use the Server templates on Servers (especially if using SBS). It will save you a lot of time with predefined exclusions.

2) I would not recommend installing Vipre Premium on Servers. Choose the standard version to avoid issues with the FW NDIS drivers.

Speaking of Vipre NDIS drivers (only in Premium)... They can cause huge issues with older NIC drivers (before 2010). It's not a very well documented issue but should be. Test everything, we learned the hard way.

I can echo the above statements. The NDIS driver caused me huge issues with the Citrix NIC drivers. BSOD upon each shutdown for all Win2k8 + guests.

@A. Ostertag:
Could you use the remaining 4 seats elsewhere? A remote office or your home?

@DarienA:
Templates work great! We always use them for a starting point when creating new policies for Servers, Workstations and Tablets. Very easy to use and allows changes to be copied to exsisting policies all at once.

1) Always use the Server templates on Servers (especially if using SBS). It will save you a lot of time with predefined exclusions.

2) I would not recommend installing Vipre Premium on Servers. Choose the standard version to avoid issues with the FW NDIS drivers.

Speaking of Vipre NDIS drivers (only in Premium)... They can cause huge issues with older NIC drivers (before 2010). It's not a very well documented issue but should be. Test everything, we learned the hard way.

I can echo the above statements. The NDIS driver caused me huge issues with the Citrix NIC drivers. BSOD upon each shutdown for all Win2k8 + guests.

I will third this post. I installed premium on our file server first and our write speeds went from 70 mbps down to about 5. Installed the standard version and have had no problems. I don't know if the fw drivers were conflicting with the HP NIC teams or what.

1st Post

I spoke with Vipre support as I had the issue where the network would constantly go up and down, once I unchecked the "GFI Software Firewall NDIS IM Filter" from the NIC the network became stable again.

I asked Vipre Support if this was alright to do, they said it is fine as it is only required if you want to use the firewall feature, I have it disabled on my policy however there is no way to deploy Vipre Business Premium without it.

Seems pointless to have it install onto the NIC when it is known to cause issues.

0

This discussion has been inactive for over a year.

You may get a better answer to your question by starting a new discussion.